There are many things parents can't teach their children.
For example, facing your inner self and confronting your feelings.
In the past, Eriri, due to her tsundere personality, was unable to do this.
As soon as she touched upon her sensitive heart.
Eriri would immediately use her tsundere attitude as a shield, isolating everyone, including herself.
And this Eriri.
But today
"He's someone important to Eriri, as important as Mom."
After the initial surprise, a smile couldn't help but spread across Yui's face.
It would be great if Eriri could grow up a little sooner.
Otherwise, when she enters society in the future, she might get tricked by bad men and even sell herself.
Losing all her assets at a love hotel and then freezing to death on the streets.
Yui didn't want to see Eriri's future turn out that way.
So...
She'd give her daughter a little push.
"Since he's important to you, then Eriri should apologize properly."
Eriri blinked her eyes, her azure gaze watery, and her long eyelashes still adorned with sparkling teardrops.
"Just like that?"
"Yeah, because Eriri is so cute, he should forgive you, okay?"
"But what about the wrong things I did in the past?"
"Mistakes that have been made can't be undone, no matter how much you want to make up for them. So, look forward, strive to correct them, and fill those bad memories with more wonderful ones."
Eriri nodded thoughtfully, unsure how much she had taken in.
After their serious mother-daughter conversation.
Yui suddenly revealed a mischievous smile.
"As important as Mom, huh... You little ingrate, Eriri!"
Yui hugged her daughter's waist, her fingers poking playfully at her side.
Eriri's tearful expression immediately crumbled.
She laughed while trying to break free from Yui's embrace.
Feng nozaki Academy,
After school.
Yuki took out his phone and saw a message pop up on LINE.
He opened it and found it was from Yui.
【Yuki-kun, come over for dinner on the weekend.】
Although the words were simple.
But Yuki could sense a hint of killing intent between the lines.
It didn't seem like an invitation he could refuse.
Thinking about it, Eriri probably wouldn't be in a good mood when she went home.
It's no wonder Yui would come knocking.
However, what needs to be faced, must be faced.
【Okay, I'll bother Yui-san then.】
Yuki replied.
They exchanged a few pleasantries and settled on Saturday night.
Putting away his phone.
Yuki and Kato Megumi walked out of the school together.
Today was Yuki's day for buying groceries.
While chatting with Kato Megumi, the girl mentioned she was also going to the supermarket to buy groceries today.
So they decided to go together.
He looked at the girl beside him, as elegant and graceful as a locust tree flower.
Being with Kato Megumi was always effortless, making him feel at ease.
Like a sip of hot cocoa on a winter day.
But Yuki knew that even the most compatible people would have occasional friction.
If everything always went smoothly.
Then one person must be accommodating the other.
"Yuki-kun's gaze is rarely so direct."
Kato Megumi noticed his gaze and gave a small criticism.
Yuki awkwardly averted his gaze.
"Oh, right, I still haven't thanked Kato-san for bandaging my wound."
"It's a bit annoying."
"Eh? Why?"
"Aren't we friends? You don't need to thank me for something like that, or is it..."
"Stop, stop! We are friends, of course."
Yuki rarely felt this inadequate lately.
The two of them went to the supermarket near the academy station, the same one they went to during spring break, to buy groceries.
Afterwards, they walked towards the station.
But halfway there, they stopped at a certain place.
A narrow alleyway between buildings.
"Meow~ Meow~ Meow!"
This sound came from the alleyway, sounding somewhat pitiful, yet full of life.
Yuki and Kato Megumi both looked in that direction.
It was a small cardboard box placed at the entrance of the alley, with a gray and fluffy kitten curled up inside.
The cat's fur was matted from lack of cleaning.
Only its heterochromia vertical pupils were particularly eye-catching.
One golden, the other light blue.
"Looks like it was abandoned?"
"It seems so."
"Do you want to adopt it?"
"My place might be difficult, my mom is allergic to animal fur."
Kato Megumi said, her expression slightly downcast.
"Then it looks like we can only send it to the animal shelter."
Yuki said helplessly.
"My house has a tenant who suddenly adopted a stray cat. It's a little irresponsible."
This time, Kato Megumi didn't respond.
"Kato-san, do you know where the nearby shelter is?"
Yuki asked.
Kato Megumi seemed to be thinking, and she didn't answer for a while.
So Yuki took out his phone, ready to search.
"I remember there being one nearby. I'll take you there."
Kato Megumi stood up.
Yuki nodded, holding the kitten along with the box.
The kitten seemed to sense the vibration and huddled in the corner of the box uneasily.
Yuki extended his finger into the box and gently stroked the cat's fur.
To soothe it.
Kato Megumi watched this scene and suddenly extended her finger, poking the kitten.
"If you stimulate it, it might escape the box and run away."
Yuki looked at Kato Megumi, a little puzzled.
After all, in their interactions, Kato Megumi was always very considerate.
It was rare to see her do something that could cause trouble.
"Yeah, it might run away."
Kato Megumi said, poking the kitten on the other side.
Yuki watched this scene, raising an eyebrow.
The kitten didn't run away, it just swatted Kato Megumi's finger with its tail.
They arrived at the nearest animal shelter together.